Manuel Uruchurtu Ramírez (June 27, 1872 – April 15, 1912) was a distinguished Mexican lawyer, jurist, and politician. He holds the somber distinction of being the only identified Mexican casualty in the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic.
Early Life and Career
Born into a wealthy Porfirian-era family in Hermosillo, Sonora, Uruchurtu was the son of Captain Mateo Uruchurtu Díaz and grandson of Pedro Mateo Uruchurtu Eyurbide from Bilbao. He pursued legal studies in Mexico City, where he married Gertrudis Caraza y Landero, with whom he had seven children. His political career flourished through his association with Ramón Corral, a prominent figure in the Porfirian regime, leading to his election as a deputy. Following the regime’s fall in 1911, Uruchurtu went into exile in France.
Voyage on the Titanic
In early 1912, Uruchurtu traveled to France to visit his political associate, Ramón Corral. After fulfilling his visit, he obtained a first-class ticket for the Titanic’s maiden voyage from Cherbourg, France, to Veracruz, Mexico. On April 10, he sent a postcard to his mother in Hermosillo, mentioning his upcoming journey and plans to visit upon his return.
Tragic End
On April 15, 1912, the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank. Uruchurtu’s body was never recovered. A popular account suggests that he sacrificed his spot in lifeboat 11 to a young woman named Elizabeth Ramell-Nye, who claimed her husband and child awaited her in New York. However, investigations later revealed that Elizabeth was unmarried and childless, casting doubt on this narrative. Journalist Guadalupe Loaeza, in her book “El caballero del Titanic,” acknowledged the lack of evidence for this story.
Legacy
In March 2024, Hermosillo’s mayor, Antonio Astiazarán Gutiérrez, inaugurated a commemorative anchor sculpture at the Bahía de Kino pier in honor of Uruchurtu, celebrating his heroism and enduring legacy.
External Resources
For additional insights into Manuel Uruchurtu’s life and legacy, visit:
